Finding a way to stop Auckland City's appetite for goals will be crucial for Otago United in the national youth league final in Auckland tomorrow.
Auckland City scored 25 goals in eight games in the northern conference, led by Stephen Carmichael, who has sewn up the golden boot for the national youth league, collecting eight goals.
By contrast, Otago United has slotted in 10 goals in the southern conference, but the side's miserly defence has allowed only four goals from its southern rivals.
The format of the competition, with the two geographically-based conferences, has kept the two sides apart till now, but Otago coach Tony Martin had sourced some details on his northern rivals.
''We've had a bit of information back about them, and they seem like a pretty good football side,'' Martin said.
''I think they're pretty strong all over the park, so it's a challenge we're looking forward to.''
Otago comes into the game in a rich vein of form, having won its past six games in the southern conference after starting the season with two losses.
''We've gone six in a row, so it would be nice to pick up a seventh one if we could,'' he said.
''The boys have trained really well right through. We started in September so it's been quite a big commitment from the fellas, and I think they've got better as time's gone on.''
Martin was pleased to report an absence of injuries heading into the final, to be played at Fred Taylor Park at 10.30am, which should take some of the players back to their primary school days - minus the frosty fields.
''Everyone's come good just at the right time. It's amazing that when you're in a winning team, those injuries seem to drop away sometimes.''
Otago United
Youth squad
Geordie Mansford (captain), Zayn Officer, Peter Overmire, Cam Attwood, Ross Howard, Will McIntyre, Nikita Meglinski, Jackson Mitchell, Sam Mepham, Andrew Ridden, Taylor McCormack, Finn Moore, Matt Kelly, Tyrell Barringer-Tairi, Jesse Smith, Anthony Mellon.
